Fat chance for a healthy weight: rethinking what it takes to stay in shape

Despite understanding the causes and effects of being overweight, rates of obesity remain high and are higher than ever in children and young people. Isn’t it just as easy as eating better and increasing exercise? Why doesn’t what the experts say about healthy eating inspire us to change our habits? Is it possible that most of what we are telling people about health eating and weight loss is in fact harmful? Let's walkabout what the science says and what that means for staying in good shape.

About Grant Schofield

Grant Schofield is Professor of Public Health at AUT University and has research and teaching interests in chronic disease prevention, especially reducing the risk and eventual mortality and morbidity form obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. His work tries to understand then change the determinants of the contributing behaviours physical (in)activity and healthy eating. His interests are in children and youth, workplaces, built environment, sedentary behaviour, and redefining public health talk about social determinants into a politically universal language. He founded and directs the Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition at AUT, and is co-director of the National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research.